EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

Techniques developed

1: The GC TEA method for the screening of highly contaminated real world
samples for traces of explosives.
2: The quality control techniques used for the operation of Laboratories involved in
the trace analysis of explosives and other forensic chemicals of interest (eg DNA)
at the low nanogram level.
3: The silica capillary column gas chromatography method for detecting low
nanogram traces of date rape benzodiazepine drugs in small (100 microlitre blood
samples).
4: The prostaglandin method for investigating sexual offences.
5: The GC/TEA method for detecting traces of Organic Components of gunshot
residue.
6: Vacuuming, headspace, and absorbent clean-up techniques for the trace analysis
of explosives, gunshot residue, prostaglandins, and drugs in heavily contaminated
samples.
7: First use of Nanobore HPLC Electrospray MS (Quadrupole)/MS(Time of Flight) to
detect and identify nanogram traces of Insulin in a casework sample in the UK.
(R v Campbell Norris).
8: The TLC technique for the trace analysis and differentiation of different types
of Nitrocellulose.
9: Highly specific TLC method for the detection and identification of low nanogram
levels of nitroaromatic explosives in highly contaminated samples using laser
induced fluorescence.
10: A general HPLC method for the analysis of Acid/Neutral drugs using UV detection
(Unpublished).
11: Selective Analysis of Sulphur compounds in food extracts (alcoholic drinks).
12: Analysis of water for traces of a pesticide widely used in Denmark (unpublished).
13: Manual of Improved improvised Incendiary and Explosive Devices.
14: Development of Improved syntheses of Barbiturates for use in the preparation of
Radioactively labelled compounds for use in the investigation of the permeability
of the cell membrane.
15: A method for the low level trace analysis of thyroxine in small blood samples
(unpublished)

Research interest areas:

UK WORLD FIRSTS

25 years!

1: Attempted picogram detection of explosives by TLC.
2: Improved clean-up methods for the trace analysis of explosives in highly contaminated
samples.
3: Improved absorbents for the clean up of highly contaminated samples prior to trace
analysis of explosives.
4: Attempted detection of peroxide explosives in highly contaminated samples by
chemiluminescent techniques.
5: Improved methods for the detection of latent fingerprints.
6: Improved sensitivity and selectivity of the Thermal Energy Analyser for the detection of
traces of explosives in highly contaminated extracts.
7: Estimation of time since intercourse through detection of semen.
8: Improved methods for the detection of Gunshot Residues in the time period following
discharge of a firearm.
9: Improved methods for the prior treatment and clean up of DNA in highly contaminated
forensic residues.
10: Endogenous alcohol production.